Fishing | New World Wiki | Complete Guide, Leveling, Materials

Casting

To begin fishing, approach a body of water and press your Cast key.

A range indicator will pop up and you can extend the range of your cast by holding the cast key, releasing it when the indicator reaches your desired range.

Hooking

Once your line is cast, you will see a bobber indicator like in the left image. This indicator will begin to shake up and down when a fish is approaching for a bite. Wait for the indicator to change before attempting to hook. Hooking too early will cause the fish to swim away.

This icon indicates that it's time to hook. Press the left mouse button to hook the fish. Note that you have a very limited time to do this, indicated by the green circle around the icon. If it depletes completely before you press the button, the fish will swim away.

This icon indicates a successful hook, leading into the next stage of the mini-game.

Reeling

Once the fish is hooked, you can begin to reel it in by holding the mouse button down but you will need to watch out for the tension.

This is the reel gauge which has a white circle filling up around the icon. Once it's filled, the fish is caught, ending the mini-game. You will need to watch out for the tension gauge in the center of the icon. Green indicates good tension while orange indicates too much tension. If the tension gets too high, your line will break and you will lose the fish.

Daytime Colossus

Small/medium/large boost to chance of catching larger fish during daytime.

Tier I: +150% chance for larger fish
Tier II: +200% chance for larger fish
Tier III: +250% chance for larger fish

Nighttime Colossus

Small/medium/large boost to chance of catching larger fish during nighttime.

Tier I: +150% chance for larger fish
Tier II: +200% chance for larger fish
Tier III: +250% chance for larger fish

Freshwater Colossus

Small/medium/large boost to chance of catching larger fish in freshwater.

Tier I: +150% chance for larger fish
Tier II: +200% chance for larger fish
Tier III: +250% chance for larger fish

Saltwater Colossus

Small/medium/large boost to chance of catching larger fish in saltwater.

Tier I: +150% chance for larger fish
Tier II: +200% chance for larger fish
Tier III: +250% chance for larger fish

Lucky Day

Small/medium/large boost to chance of catching better fish during daytime.

Tier I: +30% chance for rarer fish
Tier II: +50% chance for rarer fish
Tier III: +75% chance for rarer fish

Lucky Night

Small/medium/large boost to chance of catching better fish during nighttime.

Tier I: +30% chance for rarer fish
Tier II: +50% chance for rarer fish
Tier III: +75% chance for rarer fish

Suns Reach

Improves maximum cast distance during daytime.

Tier I: +5% improved max cast distance
Tier II: +10% improved max cast distance
Tier III: +15% improved max cast distance

Moons Reach

 Improves maximum cast distance during nighttime.

Tier I: +5% improved max cast distance
Tier II: +10% improved max cast distance
Tier III: +15% improved max cast distance

Freshwaters Brawn

Improves line strength in freshwater.

Tier I: +10% improved line strength
Tier II: +15% improved line strength
Tier III: +20% improved line strength

Saltwaters Brawn

Improves line strength in saltwater.

Tier I: +10% improved line strength
Tier II: +15% improved line strength
Tier III: +20% improved line strength

Sturdy

 Improves item durability.

Tier I: +10% improved item durability
Tier II: +20% improved item durability
Tier III: +50% improved item durability

Fishing Colossus

Small/medium/large boost to chance of catching larger fish.

Tier I: +30% chance for larger fish
Tier II: +40% chance for larger fish
Tier III: +50% chance for larger fish

Lucky Waters

Small/medium/large boost to chance of catching better fish.

Tier I: +10% chance for rarer fish
Tier II: +15% chance for rarer fish
Tier III: +20% chance for rarer fish

Fishing Reach

Improves maximum cast distance.

Tier I: +1% improved maximum cast distance
Tier II: +2% improved maximum cast distance
Tier III: +3% improved maximum cast distance

Fish come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and in varying rarity. Similar to other resources and items, fish can be of Common, Uncommon, Rare or Legendary rarity. A fish's rarity also corresponds to its Tier level, with each tier yielding rarer resources when salvaged. This is important when using fish and resources salvaged from them in other skills such as Cooking. Most fish will also come in variants of Small, Medium or Large, aside from some notable exceptions. Larger fish will tend to yield more resources when salvaged.

Catching fish will yield a certain amount of XP for your Fishing skill. As a general rule, the larger and rarer the fish, the more XP granted. Refer to the XP chart on the right for details. 

Note that your Fishing skill level has no influence on your ability to catch fish of any tier or size. This means a level 15 Fisher has just as much chance to catch a Legendary fish as a level 200 Fisher, assuming they have access to the fish's spawn location. Of course, you would need to boost your chance to catch rarer fish by equipping better Poles, Fishing Gear, Bait or mounting Fishing Trophies in your home. However, leveling up your Fishing skill will allow you to discover and track Hotspots, which are highly valuable Fishing locations. See the Hotspots section for details.

Notes:

• You gain 10 XP towards Fishing whenever you get a Bite, on top of each fish's XP per catch.
• Aquatic Snails, Clams, and Tadpoles are classed as Medium Uncommon fish, yielding 156 XP per catch.
• Oysters and Starfish are classified as Small Rare fish, yielding 175 XP per catch. Treasure Chests are classed as Large Rare "fish", yielding 200 XP per catch.
• Legendary fish have no size classifications and all provide 550 XP per catch.

Quest 1: Fishing With Shields

Collect Woodlouse bait by gathering bushes for Master Fisher Shields. Talk to Master Fisher Shields in Windsward.

Quest Giver: Michael Shields, along the river just west of Windsward settlement

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Michael Shields
2. Gather 5 Woodlouse Bait from the nearby Bushes.
3. Return to Michael.

Rewards:
Wooden Fishing Pole
 280 XP
 43.75 Coin
 250 Territory Standing

Quest 2: Fishing Basics

Cast, hook, and reel in three fish for Master Fisher Shields and deliver them to Master Fisher Ruby in Everfall.

Quest Giver: Michael Shields, along the river just west of Windsward settlement

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Michael Shields
2. Catch 3 fish of any type from any body of water.
3. Deliver the fish to Dena Ruby who is just along the coast north of Everfall Watchtower.

Note that you cannot complete this quest using previously caught fish as the task requires you to cast, hook and reel in fish 3 times each.

Rewards:
Battered Fisherman's Boots
 520 XP
 50.00 Coin
 175 Territory Standing

Quest 3: Baited

Catch one Snail in Fresh Water and one Clam in Salt Water to salvage them for bait for Master Fisher Ruby and deliver them to Master Fisher Clemenson in First Light.

Quest Giver: Dena Ruby, along the coast north of Everfall Watchtower

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Dena Ruby
2. Catch a Clam in Saltwater (Suggested: Stolen Shores in Everfall, right where you get the quest)
3. Catch an Aquatic Snail in Freshwater (Suggested: Hatchburg Fishery, northwest of First Light settlement)
4. Salvage each item to obtain a Clam Bait and Snail Bait
5. Turn in the bait to Dallas Clemenson who can be found along the shores of the Saircor Inlet, north of First Light settlement past the Dayspring Mills.

Consider using Nightcrawler Bait for Clams and Woodlouse Bait for Snails to make catching them easier.

Rewards:
Battered Fisherman's Gloves
 870 XP
 78.75 Coin
 175 Territory Standing
 20 Azoth

Quest 4: Hotspot Hunt

Catch fish from a Hotspot three times for Master Fisher Clemenson and deliver a note to Master Fisher Warwick in Monarch's Bluff.

Quest Giver: Dallas Clemenson, north of First Light, along the shore.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Dallas Clemenson
2. Catch any 3 fish from any Hotspots (Suggested: Hatchburg Fishery, northwest of First Light settlement)
3. Speak to Quinton Warwick, found on one of the small islands directly south of Fort Monarch's Bluffs along the western edge of the map.

Note that the Hotspots available to you will depend on your Fishing Level. The Hotspots will also need to be active and this can be a problem if your server is extremely busy. First Light has several Hotspots under Fishing Level 20 including the Hatchburg Fishery and the one in the southeast of the settlement noted in the previous quest. See the quest page for more options.

Rewards:
Battered Fisherman's Trousers
 1,200 XP
 87.50 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 20 Azoth

Quest 5: Practice Makes Perfect

Catch fifteen fish anywhere for Master Fisher Warwick and deliver to Master Fisher Perchal in Cutlass Keys.

Quest Giver: Quinton Warwick, on the small islands south of Fort Monarch's Bluffs.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Quintin Warwick.
2. Catch any 15 fish from anywhere.
3. Speak to Edith Perchal at the tip of the river just north of Cutlass Keys settlement.

Note that the quest specifically requires you to catch 15 fish, so any pre-caught fish will not count.

Rewards:
Battered Fisherman's Hat
 1,540 XP
 96.25 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 20 Azoth

Quest 6: The Giant Ones

Catch eight fish greater than 20 inches in length for Master Fisher Perchal and deliver it to Master Fisher Park in Brightwood.

Quest Giver: Edith Perchal, at the tip of the river running north of Cutlass Keys settlement.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Edith Perchal.
2. Catch 8 x fish greater than 20 inches. (See notes)
3. Deliver fish to Park Jennet who can be found at a lake to the east of Brightwood settlement.

The fish can be of any type as long as they are 20 inches or larger. In order to catch larger fish, you will need to use size-boosting bait such as Clam, Oyster, Snail or Electric Eel Bait. Each of these can be salvaged from the creatures of the same name, caught through fishing. Refer to the Baited quest for suggested locations. Alternatively, if you have a Cooking skill of at least level 5, you can cook the Meat Bait or Fish Bait. However, these provide the smallest boost to the chance to catch larger fish.

Rewards:
Battered Fisherman's Smock
 1,830 XP
 105.00 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 20 Azoth

Quest 7: Fish Reagents

Collect one Squid Ink and one Catfish Whisker after salvaging Squid and Catfish for Master Fisher Park and deliver them to Master Fisher Agarwal in Weaver's Fen.

Quest Giver: Park Jennet, found in a lake east of Brightwood settlement.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Park Jennet
2. Catch a Squid and Catfish and salvage them for Squid Ink and Catfish Whisker.
3. Deliver the items to Sheetal Agarwal who can be found in Weaver's Fen, far east of the settlement and close to the Restless Shore border.

Despite Squid being Saltwater creatures, both it and the Catfish can be caught right at the lake where you grab the quest, possibly due to these being a "quest" version of the creatures. Consider using Nightcrawler or Glowworm Bait to improve your chances of catching them.

Rewards:
Fishing Reward Box 1:
(Contains: Hardy Fisherman's Boots, Hardy Fisherman's Gloves)
 2,120 XP
 113.75 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 20 Azoth

Quest 8: Reel Life

Catch three Boots in Weaver's Fen to clean up the waters for Master Fisher Agarwal and deliver a new line to Master Fisher O'Connor in Restless Shore.

Quest Giver: Sheetal Argawal, found in Weaver's Fen, far east near the border to Restless Shore.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Sheetal Argawal.
2. Clean up the waters just in front of her by fishing up 3 "Boots".
3. Speak to Finola O'Connor who can be found on a small island just to the west of Fort Restless Shore.

The "Boots" in question are special quest items that can only be fished up around the Fen, referred to in-game as Slimy Boot. We find that using Woodlouse or Firefly Bait makes catching them much easier.

Rewards:
Fishing Reward Box 2:
(Contains: Hardy Fisherman's Hat, Hardy Fisherman's Trousers)
 2,380 XP
 122.50 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 20 Azoth

Quest 9: Weapons of the Sea

Catch a Fish Sword and a Fish Headed Hammer for Master Fisher O'Connor and present them to Master Fisher Abebe in Mourningdale.

Quest Giver: Finola O'Connor, found on a small island just west of Fort Restless Shore.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Finola O'Connor.
2. Catch a Fish Sword and Fish Headed Hammer in the waters just in front of her.
3. Deliver the items to Tariku Abebe who can be found in Mourningdale, at the lake in Pueblo Culto Nunez northeast of the settlement.

Similar to the previous quest, you can use bait to improve your chances. The water near the quest giver is Salt Water, so use Nightcrawler or Glowworm Bait to catch the items.

Rewards:
Hardy Fisherman's Smock
 2,380 XP
 122.50 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 20 Azoth

Quest 10: Treasures of the Deep

Catch a Treasure Chest for Master Fisher Abebe and present it to Master Fisher Klaus in Great Cleave.

Quest Giver: Tariku Abebe, found in lake Pueblo Culto Nunez, northeast of the Mourningdale settlement.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Tariku Abebe.
2. Catch a "Treasure Chest" by fishing.
3. Deliver the chest to Eberhart Klaus at the Glass Lake in southcentral Great Cleave.

The fastest way to catch a Treasure Chest is to fish at a Secret Hotspot (3-star). Below Fishing Level 50, you will only have access to two of these spots. One is located in the river that runs along the western edge of Primrose in western Windsward. This is unlocked at Fishing Level 12. The other one is located in Cutlass Keys, on the eastern coast of Haunted Isle in the south and is unlocked at Fishing Level 27. See the quest page for more options at higher levels. It is recommended you use your best rarity-boosting Bait (Firefly/Glowworm) as well as any gear that provides the Lucky Perk.

Rewards:
Ironwood Fishing Pole
 2,640 XP
 131.25 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 20 Azoth

Quest 11: Soulwarden Rations

Catch five fish heavier than 30 pounds for Master Fisher Klaus and deliver them to Master Fisher Davies in Edengrove.

Quest Giver: Eberhart Klaus, found in Glass Lake in southcentral Great Cleave.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Eberhart Klaus.
2. Catch 5 x fish heavier than 30lbs.
3. Deliver fish to Rory Davies, found in the large lake just south east of the Genesis of Malevolence in central Edengrove.

Similar to The Giant Ones, use your best size-boosting Bait (Electric Eel/Oyster), as well as any gear with the Colossus Perk. You also want to fish in deep water so leave Glass Lake and find some Salt Water, preferably with a Hotspot. A good candidate is Cascade Harbor to the east of Windsward which has both a 1-Star Hotspot near the middle and a 2-Star Hotspot further to the north. Cutlass Keys also has two 2-Star Hotspots in the southeast and southwest edges of the map, but these require Fishing Levels 45 and 56, respectively.

Rewards:
Sleek Fisherman's Hat
 2,890 XP
 140.00 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 20 Azoth

Quest 12: Azoth-Tinged Fish

Catch an Azoth-Tinged Fish in Edengrove for Master Fisher Davies and deliver it to Master Fisher Bernard in Shattered Mountain.

Quest Giver: Rory Davies, found in the large lake just south east of the Genesis of Malevolence in central Edengrove.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Rory Davies.
2. Catch an Azoth-Tinged Fish in the waters next to Rory.
3. Deliver the fish to Konrad Bernard in the western tip of the river in the Blighted Wilds of Shattered Mountain.

This fish is exceedingly rare and will require your best rarity-boosting Bait (Firefly) and gear. There is a 1-Star Hotspot in the large body of water west of the Malevolence which can provide you with a rarity boost if you have Fishing at Level 56. Otherwise, just grind it out in the waters next to Rory.

Rewards:
Fishing Reward Box 3
(Contains: Sleek Fisherman's Boots, Sleek Fisherman's Gloves, Sleek Fisherman's Smock, Sleek Fisherman's Trousers)
 2,970 XP
 148.75 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 30 Azoth

Quest 13: Corruption-Tinged Fish

Catch a Corruption-Tinged Fish in Shattered Mountain and bring it to Master Fisher Chang in Ebonscale.

Quest Giver: Konrad Bernard in the western tip of the river in the Blighted Wilds of Shattered Mountain.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Konrad Bernard.
2. Catch a Corruption-Tinged Fish in the waters next to Konrad.
3. Deliver the fish to Laquan Chang in Ebonscale Reach, in the eastern side of the settlement.

This is similar to the previous quest. Equip all your rarity boosters and use Firefly Bait. Luckily, there is a 2-Star Hotspot right here although it requires Level 95 Fishing. Watch out for the monsters surrounding the area.

Rewards:
Fishing Reward Box 4
(Contains: Fierce Fisherman's Boots, Fierce Fisherman's Gloves)
 3,750 XP
 157.50 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 30 Azoth

Quest 14: Ecological Report

Obtain various levels of fish fillet for Master Fisher Chang in Ebonscale to assess the health of the island's underwater denizens.

Quest Giver: Laquan Chang, in Ebonscale Reach settlement.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Laquan Chang.
2. Obtain Fish Filet, Firm Fish Filet, Tender Fish Filet, Delicate Fish Filet. You will need 25 of each.
3. Deliver the filets to Gaspar Machera, found at the northwest tip of Siren's Stand in Reekwater. Follow the road going southeast from the settlement.

Unlike other quests in the chain, the items required can be acquired by any means, whether you fish and salvage the items yourself, have the items on you before accepting the quest, or purchasing them through the Trading Post.

If you wish to catch the fish yourself, Common fish such as Bass, Bluefish, Flounder and Mackerel yield Fish Filet and a small amount of Firm Fish Filet when salvaged. Uncommon fish such as Catfish, Cod and Halibut yield a lot of Firm Fish Filet and some Tender Fish Filet. Finally, Swordfish is your best bet for Delicate Fish Filet. Check the All Fish in New World section for locations.

Rewards:
Fishing Reward Box 5
(Contains: Fierce Fisherman's Hat, Fierce Fisherman's Smock, Fierce Fisherman's Trousers)
 3,000 XP
 112.50 Coin
 250 Territory Standing
 15 Azoth

Quest 15: To Be a Grand Master

Reach Fishing Level 100 and talk to Grand Master Machera in Reekwater.

Quest Giver: Gaspar Machera, found at the northwest tip of Siren's Stand in Reekwater. Follow the road going southeast from the settlement.

Quick Guide:

1. Speak to Gaspar Machera.
2. Return to Gaspar Machera upon reaching Fishing Level 100.

This final quest is rather simple and is all about the grind. A rule of thumb is to always try and catch the largest and rarest fish that you can which means using your best Bait, and a good balance between size and rarity-boosting Perks on your equipment. Find a bunch of Hotspots that are close to each other and hop between them as they become active. Stick to the 2-Star Hotspots as these contain more fish overall and have a shorter respawn time, ultimately yielding more XP over time than 3-Star Hotspots.

Rewards:
Legendary Pole Reward Box
(Contains: Ancient Fishing Pole, Angry Earth Fishing Pole, Corrupted Fishing Pole, Lost Fishing Pole)
 3,750 XP
 157.50 Coin
 175 Territory Standing
 30 Azoth